Ben Close

Ben Easton Close (born 8 August 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for National League club Eastleigh, on loan from Doncaster Rovers.

Ben Close

Personal information
Full name	Ben Easton Close[1]
Date of birth	(1996-08-08) 8 August 1996 (age 28)[2]
Place of birth	Portsmouth, England[3]
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[4]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Doncaster Rovers
Number	33
Youth career
0000–2014	Portsmouth
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014–2021	Portsmouth	138	(14)
2015	→ Poole Town (loan)	7	(1)
2017	→ Eastleigh (loan)	9	(0)
2021–	Doncaster Rovers	77	(5)
2025	→ Eastleigh (loan)	16	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 09:08, 30 June 2025 (UTC)

Career

Portsmouth

Born in Portsmouth, Close signed a two-year scholarship deal after spending many years in Portsmouth's youth categories.^[3] He was an unused substitute for a first team game on 3 May 2014 for a league game against Plymouth Argyle.^[5]

On 9 May 2014, Close was offered a one-year professional contract with the club, alongside Bradley Tarbuck.^[6] On 12 September 2014, he made his professional debut, coming on as a 43rd minute substitute for Nigel Atangana in a 3–1 away win against Yeovil Town, for the campaign's Football League Trophy.^[7]

Close made his League Two debut on 16 September, again from the bench in a 3–0 home success against Dagenham & Redbridge.^[8] After playing only 4 games for Pompey in 2016–17, on 31 January 2017, he joined National League side Eastleigh on loan until the end of the season.^[9]

On 26 May 2017 Close signed a new one-year contract at Pompey, with the club holding an option for an additional year.^[10] On 17 December, after becoming a starter under new manager Kenny Jackett, he extended his contract until 2020.^[11]

On 2 March 2019, Close scored his first professional brace in a 5–1 home victory over Bradford City.^[12]

Doncaster Rovers

Close signed for Doncaster Rovers on a three-year deal on 7 June 2021.^[13] On 1 February 2025, Close joined Eastleigh on loan for the remainder of the season.^[14]

Career statistics

As of 12 January 2025^[15]

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Portsmouth	2014–15	League Two	6	0	1	0	0	0	2	0	9	0
	2015–16	League Two	7	0	3	0	2	0	2	0	14	0
	2016–17	League Two	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	0	4	0
	2017–18	League One	40	2	1	0	1	0	3	0	45	2
	2018–19	League One	34	8	3	0	1	0	8	1	46	9
	2019–20	League One	29	3	5	2	3	1	7	0	44	6
	2020–21	League One	22	1	2	0	0	0	4	0	28	1
	Total		138	14	16	2	7	1	29	1	190	18
Poole Town (loan)	2014–15	SFL - Premier Division	5	0	0	0	0	0	3	1	8	1
Eastleigh (loan)	2016–17	National League	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	9	0
Doncaster Rovers	2021–22	League One	14	0	0	0	2	0	1[a]	0	17	0
	2022–23	League Two	36	2	1	0	0	0	1[a]	0	38	2
	2023–24	League Two	20	3	2	0	0	0	5[a]	1	27	4
	2024–25	League Two	7	0	1	0	0	0	3[a]	0	11	0
	Total		77	5	4	0	2	0	10	1	93	6
Career total			229	19	20	2	9	1	42	3	300	25

1. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Honours

Portsmouth

• EFL Trophy: 2018–19;^[16] runner-up: 2019–20^[17]

Doncaster Rovers

• EFL League Two: 2024–25^[18]